Weekly Music Chart 2008 – May week 5

1. (+2) SG Wannabe – 라라라 (LaLaLa)*** 1 WEEK NO. 1 ***
Score: 955Genre: R&B/Country Style BalladMusic: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinAlbum: SG Wannabe Vol. 5 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: The top 3 songs continue to play musical chairs. This week it is SG Wannabe’s "LaLaLa" moving up two spots to No. 1, narrowly edging out MC Mong’s "Circus". By doing so, the trio extended their No. 1 streak on their main album title songs. Since their second album, all their title songs have gone to No. 1. Looks like a change in membership hasn’t affected their popularity.

Music: Kim Gun Woo, MC Mong / Lyrics: MC MongAlbum: MC Mong Vol. 4 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of MC Mong’s 4th album entitled “Show’s Just Begun.”
Featured artistes Lim Yu-kyung and $howgun’s unique musical style ring out in
this upbeat hip hop track. The lyrics, which were written by MC Mong himself,
describe him as the circus clown. The artiste’s close friend No Hong-chul
added more fun to the music video with his appearance. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

3. (-2) Epik High (feat. Ji Sun) – One
Score: 909Genre: Hip-hopMusic: Tablo / Lyrics: Tablo, Mithra JinAlbum: Epik High Vol. 5 Track 4 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track of Epik High’s 5th album, “Pieces, Part One.” The fusion of futuristic electronic sounds with hip-hop rhythms blends in well
with former Loveholic’s vocalist Jisun’s voice. The song carries a message of
hope to those who have been emotionally damaged. Jung Ryeo-won stars in the
music video as a woman who has given up on her life. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

Music: Chae Gyu, Shin Sha Dong Ho Raeng/ Lyrics: Choi Kap Won
Album: Jewelry Vol. 5 Track 7 Purchase this album
Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Follow-up song from Jewelry’s 5th albm
"Kitchi Island". Title song "One More Time" spent 3 weeks at the top
spot. This song is even more upbeat and energetic, and unlike "One More
Time" where Park Jung Ah and Seo In Young sing most of the song, this
song’s vocal is more evenly divided between 4 members.

5. (-1) Kim Jong Wook – 그대만이 (My Only)
Score: 738Genre: Pop Ballad

Music: Cho Young Soo / Lyrics: Ahn Young MinAlbum: Kim Jong Wook Vol. 1 CD 2 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is a track from Kim Jong-wook’s 1st album, "For A Long Time," a ballad that showcases a nice blend of warm accessible melodies and Kim’s mellow vocals. The
lyrics, simple and straightforward, is about a guy’s strong feelings towards his
loved one. Chae Dong-ha and Jo Yeo-jung show off their melodramatic acting as a
couple in the music video. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

7. (–) Monday Kiz (feat. Rhymer) – 가슴으로 외쳐 (Shout to the heart)
Score: 519Genre: Mid-tempo R&BMusic: Kim Do Hoon + Hwang Sung Jin / Lyrics: Kim Do HoonAlbum: Monday Kiz Vol. 3 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track for Monday Kiz’s 3rd album, "Inside
Story." Rhymer made and performed the rap for this up-tempo R&B
song, which is seasoned with some hip-hop touches. A simple melody
melds with a full chorus to add to the depth of the song. The music
video tells of a love story between Seo Young-hee and Jin Gu, who play
a doctor and cancer patient. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

Music + Lyircs: Yoon Sang
Album: Lee Seung Ki 2nd remake album Track 6 Purchase this albumWatch:Live PerformanceComment: Coming from Lee Seung Ki’s 2nd remake album, this song is the follow up song to "I’ll Give You All" and it is our highest debut this week at No. 8. "I"ll Give You All" was from Cho Kyu Man, this song was also originally from another singer-songwriter, Yoon Sang. It is a more rock-styled ballad as compared to "I’ll Give You All".

Music + Lyrics: Han Sang WonAlbum: SS501 3rd single album Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Follow-up song from SS501’s 3rd single album
"Deja Vu". The title song "Deja Vu" reached the top 10. This song has
great rhythm and it showcases SS501’s cute choreography. It is another
hit song written by rising songwriter Han Sang Won, who also has Choi
Jin Yi’s "One Shiny Day" in the top 20 this week.

Music + Lyrics: Kim Dong RyulAlbum: Fly To The Sky Remake Album "Recollection" Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Fly To The Sky are the third singers to release a remake album this
year (first is Park Hye Kyung, second is Lee Seung Ki). Brian and
Hwanhee chose hit songs from the 90s and remade them to their own
style. "Saying The Truth When Drunk" was originally a hit by Kim Dong
Ryul (who also happens to have a song in our top 20 this week). FTTS’
version is an a capella track featuring R&B singer AND. With the
accompaniment of the guitar and drums in the middle of the track, fans
will definitely fall for their voices.

Album: Kim Dong Wan Vol. 2 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title song from Kim Dong Wan’s 2nd album "The Secret". This week, three Shinhwa members are having songs on the chart (the other 2 are Andy and Jun Jin), with Dong Wan’s song ranking the highest. Secret is a ballad mixed with the electronica genre. The song includes a narration by SNSD member Tiffany. Actress Kim Min Sun starred in the song’s MV with Dong Wan.

12. (+3) Andy – 프로포즈 (Propose)
Score: 400Genre: Pop Ballad

Album: Andy Vol. 1 repackaged version Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive Performance feat. Solbi (with English sub)Comment: Andy is just a spot below Dong Wan. Riding on the popularity of TV
show "We Got Married" in which he appears, this song is inching towards the top 10. It is the title song from
Andy’s first album repackaged version. "Propose" is a sweet and happy
love song that Andy and Shinhwa fans will love.

13. (+15) Alex – 화분 (Flower Pot)
Score: 398 Genre: Pop/Jazz Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kang Hyun MinAlbum: Alex digital single "Flower Pot"Watch:MVComment: The fourth song coming from the hit TV show "We Got Married". Like Andy, Clazziquai’s Alex also stars in this show, coupling with Shin Ae. Alex was also involved in the first hit song of this series, featuring in Kim Dong Ryul’s "Like A Child". It is already the third version of this song. The song first appeared in the "Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop" soundtrack, then Loveholic remade it earlier this year. Now it has finally become a hit on its third try, proving that the power of TV shows can do a song wonders. Loveholic’s Kang Hyun Min wrote this song.

Music: Han Sang Won / Lyrics: Choi Jin YiAlbum: Choi Jin Yi mini album Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title song of Rumble Fish’s vocalist Choi Jin-yi’s first mini album
entitled "Sunny Day." It describes the irresistible yearning toward a past lover
in a light and warm melody. The music video contains images of Choi Jin-yi going
on a picnic on a sunny day, just like the title. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

15. (-4) Kim Dong Ryul – 출발 (Departure)
Score: 316Genre: Pop Ballad

Music + Lyrics: Kim Dong RyulAlbum: Kim Dong Ryul Vol. 5 Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVComment: Featured in Kim Dong-ryul’s 5th album "Monologue," this is a sweet
ballad that has Kim’s smooth vocals laced with modern acoustic sounds.
The music video shows Kim Dong-ryul on his unforgettable trekking
experience in the high mountains of Tibet. (credits to Arirang TV –
Pops in Seoul)

Album: V.O.S Vol. 3 Track 2 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: Title song from R&B trio V.O.S’ third album "Wonderful Things". It is our biggest mover of the week. V.O.S is a fast-rising group, with a big hit "Everyday Everyday" last year. Member Park Ji Hun has already scored a No. 1 solo hit earlier this year with "During The Days I Want To See You". This song is more up-tempo than their previous hits, perhaps more fitting for the coming summer.

18. (-10) ISU – 삐에로 (Pierrot)
Score: 305Genre: Pop BalladMusic: Kim Do Hoon, PJ / Lyrics: Choi Kap WonAlbum: ISU Vol. 1 Track 2 Purchase this album
Watch: MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the title track of Lee Su’s 1st solo album, "I am." Tasteful
piano accompaniment and Lee Su’s emotional voice shine through in this
ballad as he sings about the duality of love and pain, which is
compared to a clown’s sad smile. The exquisite images produced by
high-speed filming and Lee Su’s own performance in this music video
leave a lasting impression. (credits to Arirang TV –
Pops in Seoul)

19. (-3) Wax – Lucky
Score: 270Genre: Pop / Dance

Lyircs: Hong Ji YooAlbum: Wax Digital Single "Lucky"Watch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This lively, upbeat Euro-dance style song is the title track of Wax’s
digital single, ‘Lucky." It is a remake of Swedish pop duo Lucky
Twice’s song. The artiste herself stars in the music video showing off
a funny antenna dance with her hair exaggeratedly blown-up. (credits to
Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

Album: Lee Seung Hwan Mini Album "Dim" Track 1 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This is the representative track of Lee Seung-hwan’s repackaged album
"Obscurity." Showcasing lively, bouncy tunes, this song contains a
hopeful message that everyone can be a hero. Members of the indie band
Super Kidd, Huh-check and Pajama Jingo are featured in the song and the
music video and show us what a world full of super heroes would be
like. (credits to Arirang TV – Pops in Seoul)

Blue: Songs to watch out under top 20Green: Editor’s recommendations under top 20

BONUS TRACK:

31. (+10) Ibadi – 끝나지 않은 이야기 (Endless Story)
Genre: Jazz/folk Ballad

Album: Ibadi Vol. 1 Track 3 Purchase this albumWatch:MVLive PerformanceComment: This week’s bonus track is a song on the chart. It may sound strange for a singer to be members of two different groups at the same time. But it is not uncommon in Korea, as is the case here. Horan of Clazziquai is also the lead vocalist of this project group Ibadi. While Clazziquai’s music is a combination of jazz, fusion, and pop, Ibadi brings us acoustic jazz and folk songs. Horan’s smooth voice plus the poetic lyrics fill up perfectly with the beautiful melody of this song. This is perhaps the best album that I’ve heard so far in 2008. I highly recommend this song and Ibadi’s first album. Check them out.